14th September 2018, 09:38

Teams named for Norway v Germany showdown

Norway and Germany have named their 19-man squads for the final game in European Championship C – North, in Porsgrunn tomorrow (Saturday) which doubles up as the next stage of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. The ultimate victors will face the winners of European Championship C – South, on neutral territory most likely in spring 2019.

Germany are in pole position thanks to a stunning 24-4 win over the Czech Republic in Osnabrück late last month, needing to take a point from Norway who were defeated 20-12 in Vrchlabi.

“Without a doubt this is the most important match in RL Norge’s short history,” said head coach Dave Hunter. “All the players have been putting in the hard work to ensure we give ourselves a chance of proceeding to the next round of RLWC qualifying. We realise that we are the underdogs and that we’ll need to be at our very best if we’ve a chance to win.”

Kristian Nordin-Skipnes has flown in from winning a title with Woden Valley Rams in Canberra to bolster the home line up.

According to Germany co-head coach Simon Cooper: “We are expecting a tough physical challenge from the Norwegians, just like we experienced from the Czechs. If we don’t show them the respect they deserve, we risk losing and potentially missing out on progressing to the next stage. It means even more being involved in the World Cup Qualifiers and part of a competition that has so much history.”

Swinton’s Brad Billsborough, man of the match against the Czechs, will again captain the side in the absence of injured Mawuli Amefia.